Your Shopper
Send your news, photos & videos. Text NEWS SHOPPER and your message to 80360 or click here to email us » »
|
Touch-in made compulsory for youngsters
3:50pm Sunday 6th January 2008
YOUNGSTERS will have to touch in' if they want to zip around on London's public transport, Mayor Ken Livingstone announced today (January 6).
His Zip Card scheme makes it compulsory for 11 to 18-year-olds to swipe their cards on the readers on buses and trams and to show their photocards on request.
It is hoped this initiative, which starts on June 1, will make it easier to crack down on anti-social behaviour.
Mayor Livingstone, said: "Free travel is a vital investment in London's future, making London accessible for thousands of families by improving young people's access to education, sport and leisure.
"Young people who want to benefit from free travel on buses and trams must make sure they have a Zip card, and they should also be aware that any youngster that abuses this privilege, for example by anti-social behaviour, will have their card taken away."
The new scheme means that young people aged 11 and over will need an Oyster photocard, which will entitle them to free bus and tram travel.
This can be applied for at Post Offices and more information is available on the Transport for London website.
- What do you think of the free travel scheme? Add your comments below or have your say on the News Shopper forum.
Your Say YourShopper
Sam, says...
6:38pm Sun 6 Jan 08
Mrs A wrote:How does it criminalise someone who hasn't actually committed any crime on the network? You may as well say having a passport or a drivibg licence automatically criminalises someone.
I Hate Ken Livingstone and everything he stands for. He is making out that all his schemes are so wondeful, yet travelling on public transport is no better or safer despite all his congestion charging. Travel may be free for teenagers, but to get an Oyster card you have to fill in a form that states your details (+ photo) are then available to the police. Doesn't that criminalise all young people?. I would rather pay my childrens fares than subject them to that.
If you behave properly there's no problem surely?
Mrs A, London says...
7:05pm Sun 6 Jan 08
Sam, says...
7:18pm Sun 6 Jan 08
I'm not sure exactly how the data transfer on Oyster cards works between Tfl and the police - whether the police have all data or have to request specific items. But I don't think having access to the records crminalises people who haven't actually done anything wrong. Obviously if children do cause trouble on buses (and we know some do) then the Oyster card might be a way of tracing them or preventing them getting free travel in future. I don't have a problem with that.
Sam, says...
7:24pm Sun 6 Jan 08
L, Thamesmead says...
11:28pm Sun 6 Jan 08
Sam wrote:I am sure that even if it is available to the police the only time they'd check it out is if a child causes trouble.
Are you sure this data is automatically handed over to the police? From what I have read on sites such as the bbc or Mayor's own site it has to be requested on a case by case basis by the police, who have to give reasons for their need to see it. The number of requests are recorded and made public. My child is shortly to be getting an oyster card, so any info appreciated.
I would rather the police had access to the info and so were able to more quickly solve crime than not.
Sanity, London says...
2:22am Mon 7 Jan 08
The Police have to request information from the relevant bodies. They can infact get pretty much any information about you should they REQUEST IT. If I were you I wouldn't live in a house as they can request your details from the Council or request your bank details etc etc etc... sadly they are far too busy trying to catch criminals than to bother with wasting time!
If your children have nothing to hide why should you be worried anyway?
Martin Barrett, Gravesend says...
7:48am Mon 7 Jan 08
miss k clark, london se9 says...
9:02am Mon 7 Jan 08
Tanya, Plumstead says...
9:07am Mon 7 Jan 08
Mia, Shooters Hill says...
3:01pm Mon 7 Jan 08
Michelle, Charlton says...
6:03pm Tue 8 Jan 08
Mia wrote:I agree with Mia. How are young people supposed to learn responsibility unless they learn consequences (even paying £5.00 for a lost Oyster card). If adults keep on making excuses for them not to be responsible then why are some people so suprised at the amounts of anti-social behaviour? Young people have free travel so it is not a big deal that they produce they Oyster card in return.
has anyone been on a bus around here at school chucking out time??? - or witnessed the graffiti on the windows of buses?? - I think it's a good idea. And perhaps if you make your child pay the £5 everytime they lose their oyster card then they'd be a bit more careful - are we supposed to be making our teenagers more responsible and socially aware??
km, Erith says...
10:33pm Tue 8 Jan 08
Sam, says...
7:33pm Wed 9 Jan 08
I approve of the swipe card idea but I hope it has a photo otherwise won't people who have their card withdrawn be likely to simply nick someone's elses?
Your sayYourShopper
Add your comment
Register for a FREE News Shopper account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
In this section
- Orpington College student stabbed in High Street
- Tesco urged to support Orpington traders
- Swanscombe shopkeeper speaks after armed robbery
- Developer’s plan for 371 Greenhithe homes
- Health boss 'expects' child protection review
- Bromley mum kills rat with vacuum after son is bitten
- JLS feeling pressure ahead of X Factor semi-finals
- Blackheath drug dealer given nine-year jail term
- Dartford resident sent another woman's bank details for 16 years
- Sister's tribute to murdered Woolwich man
Sponsored Links
Explore News Shopper
Kindness Club hero: Offering a reward and doing a good deed
WE asked for businesses to offer rewards to people who do good deeds. Then we asked people to start doing nice things to earn the rewards. One man has chosen to do both!
'Miracle' tot returns home to Petts Wood
TWO-YEAR-OLD Oluchi Nwaubani wasn’t breathing when she was pulled from a swimming pool earlier this year, and her tiny heart was barely beating after being in the water for 18 long minutes.
Britney Spears brings The Circus to The O2, Greenwich
Pop princess Britney Spears will play two concerts at The O2, Greenwich next June.
Panto prizes for mini Cinderella and Buttons
NEWS Shopper today launches a new competition to find the cutest little Cinderella and the cheekiest junior Buttons.
Swap Shopper: Open to offers again for £2,000 party voucher
THE deal has not been done - which means a £2,000 voucher to spend on the party of your dreams is once again up for grabs. What could you swap for it?
Holidays to be won in Mum of the Year contest
FAMILY holidays to France are up for grabs as News Shopper launches a new award to recognise the achievements of role-model mothers.
Local Links
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Mrs A, London says...
6:29pm Sun 6 Jan 08
Travel may be free for teenagers, but to get an Oyster card you have to fill in a form that states your details (+ photo) are then available to the police. Doesn't that criminalise all young people?. I would rather pay my childrens fares than subject them to that.